Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government
Veterans Benefits and Health Care About VA Find a VA Location

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Homelessness among Veterans: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Physical Health, and the Cumulative Trauma of Military Sexual Assault

Lucas CL, Harris T, Stevelink SA, McNamara KA, Rafferty L, Kwan J, Dunn R, Fear NT, Kintzle S, Castro CA. Homelessness among Veterans: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Physical Health, and the Cumulative Trauma of Military Sexual Assault. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research. 2021 Nov 10; 12(3):https://doi.org/10.1086/712991.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.    Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions


Abstract:

Objective: The current literature does not account for how homeless experiences in combination with military sexual assault (MSA) are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and physical health among military veterans. Method: The survey sample included 251 female and 1,249 male U.S. Armed Forces veterans in San Francisco, CA, and Chicago, IL, who reported their housing status during the past 3months. Three subgroups emerged: housed, those experiencing broad homelessness (e.g., home of another person, hotel), and those experiencing literal homelessness (e.g., shelter, abandoned building). Analysis included (a) six multivariable logistic regressions to understand the relationship of homelessness and mental and physical health and (b) six moderation multivariable logistic regressions demonstrating the interaction of MSA, homeless experiences, and mental and physical health. Results: Female veterans who experienced literal or broad homelessness and MSA were more likely to have PTSD, depression, and/or physical health symptoms than those who were housed and had not experienced MSA. Male veterans who experienced literal or broad homelessness and MSA were more likely to have PTSD, depression, and/or physical health symptoms than those who were housed and had not experienced MSA. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate the cumulative effect of homelessness and MSA, highlighting the need to assess for MSA among veterans experiencing homelessness, to provide trauma-informed care within homeless services, and to support veterans in achieving secure housing.




Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.